Unlike a lot of IMP members, I am a born and bred Midwesterner. The stereotypes are generally true. I am modest, I like my coffee black, I love ranch dressing and I say “ope!” And I wholeheartedly believe that for whatever else we may lack here in flyover country, the people in these parts are second to none.

I grew up in Kansas City and so when we matched in Iowa City, I was thrilled to be just a short 4ish hours from home. Before I delve too far into my hometown, I’d like to make very clear that most of the time people refer to Kansas City (Royals, Chiefs, museums, the airport, etc.), they are referring to the city in Missouri. NOT KANSAS. This is a point of contention for most natives of KCMO. Kansas City, Kansas is still part of the larger KC metro area, but most of the parts to write home about are on the Missouri side of town. I don’t know how to explain why this is an annoying assumption that we’re all from Kansas, but it really strikes a nerve. ;) and so now, you know! And you know that, unless noted otherwise, everything recommended to you to do in KC is likely in Missouri, our neighbors to the South. (I’ll note that plenty of lovely suburbs are on the Kansas side and it’s a fine place to live, but the point I’d like to drive home is there’s a difference!)

Now that the most important lesson is out of the way, let’s talk about the place that Travel + Leisure named one of the most cultured cities in the country. Kansas City is a great weekend getaway for those of us spending some time here in Iowa City. Just over 300 miles away, it’s somehow always a bit more mild in terms of winter weather. Come Springtime, take a trip to KC and you’ll find the grass really is greener and it’ll get you by before we start to warm up here. There, you’ll find lots and lots of big city amenities without some of the drawbacks a true large city would have. Traffic is not a concern, and it’s an affordable place to visit (and live).

You’ll find world class art at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. Fun shopping in a unique setting on the Country Club Plaza (modeled after our sister city in Spain, Seville). Hundreds upon hundreds of fountains (called The City of Fountains). Fascinating and always changing exhibits on display at Union Station (as well as kid-friendly Science Center). Incredible restaurants and a flourishing nightlife in the Power & Light District. Walt Disney Studios. The world’s best BBQ (Joe’s KC or Arthur Bryants are my recommendations). The attractions are in abundance!

Please make sure to put Kansas City on your list of Midwest places to visit during your tenure in Iowa City. If you do, here are some top spots to hit:

River Market: if you go in the spring or summer, be sure to make time to visit the city market on a Saturday morning. There’s nothing quite like it and in the same area, you’ll find a very interesting riverboat museum.

In recent years, Kansas City has been credited on numerous lists as a top spot for hipsters and millennials. The city is really being revitalized and has been given a lot of well-deserved attention since our otherwise mediocre baseball team was in the World Series two years in a row a few years back. It swells my heart to see my home portrayed in such a positive light. Let me know if you visit!

Have you been watching the show “Tidying Up” on Netflix with Marie Kondo (or read the book)? Like most of America, it has made me want to get rid of lots of our stuff. It also reminded me that I’d asked a few former IMP members for their best moving advice right after their departure from Iowa City. So whether you are moving this summer (!) or in the next few years, this advice is for you!

Purge / Organize

All agreed that you should get rid of as much stuff as possible! One member said she pocked about $350 from selling at Stuff, Etc. but would have made even more money if she had started earlier. Other people prefer to sell to IMP members or on Facebook.

Amid your purging, make sure you keep important papers (birth certificates, car titles, etc) in a place that you can easily find.

Moving Costs

If you are moving for a job, negotiate for higher moving costs. It is ALWAYS more than you think. Inquire if hotels, gas, food and all those other expenses are included.

Look on Craigslist for free/cheap boxes and moving supplies. You can save a TON by picking up boxes this way. Maybe start looking a month or so out. Plan Ahead

Make an appt at the DMV in new city. Once former member Kristen moved, she discovered there was a waiting period of months and she would have benefited from advanced scheduling.

If you have kids: Pack as much as you can while your kids are in school or occupied in some consistent kind of care (camp etc). It is much easier to pack up a box, seal and label it when you didn't have toddler hands trying to "help." Maybe even trade off babysitting with another IMP member who is moving!

If you are selling your house and using a realtor (like our sponsor Tundi Brady!), reach out early—like now --to stay on schedule for a listing around Match Day. Movers

Double check that movers cover all your furniture with furniture pads. One member warned her fast and efficient movers came at a price—almost every piece of furniture was dinged. She wishes she would have watched more closely as they loaded the truck.

Consider paying to have movers come out a few days before loading the truck to organize the boxes and furniture. It made things run more smoothly on moving day for a member.

Check out Penske: the prices are a little lower than Uhaul and they have discounts (AAA etc). An auto repair person also said that they have the best coverage in case things go wrong.

I would also add from our moves in the past: READ the contract you sign. We went with a huge moving company about seven years ago, and they took close to two weeks to move our items (a 16 hour drive)! But, we referred back to the contract, and they only had to pay us a minimal amount for taking over a certain amount of time. I wish we would have clarified. They also forgot to load packed items in a front closet. We shouldn't have trusted them as much to be thorough.

We have always been running around at the last minute leaving town. I wish we would have planned to spend the night with a local friend to tie up loose ends rather than hitting the road stressed. We did fork over money to hire cleaners so we could leave as soon as moving truck did.

Chicago. The windy city. Chi-town. The second city. The third most populous city in the United States is just a short 230 miles away from Iowa City, which makes it a necessary venture for those of us living here during our medical tenure. Iowa City is sometimes referred to as Chicago’s favorite suburb because of the very large student population from Chicagoland.

You’d be hard pressed to fit everything you wanted to do in Chicago into an overnight stay. A full weekend getaway is highly recommended! Obviously, Chicago is home to many famous tourist attractions. An entire weekend could be spent doing things you certainly don’t need to read about on a blog. Between Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, various art museums, the sky deck on Willis Tower, and shopping on Michigan Avenue, you’d keep plenty a full itinerary without needing any guidance from me! I will say that if you are interested in hitting all the tourist hot spots, look into purchasing a City Pass (www.citypass.com) that will grant you access to everywhere you want to go for one cost all while skipping the lines.

All that said, here I am writing a blog post about visiting the town. One of my brothers lives in Chicago. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit him on several occasions and gotten a glimpse of why people really love the Windy City. Trust me, no one moves to Chicago for the winters! There really is some magic to the city beyond all the tourist traps. And you’ll easily spot plenty of UI tiger hawks all over the city to make you feel at home! Anyway, here’s a short list of things to do that may otherwise fall beneath your radar:

Pizza: Obviously, everyone wants deep dish when they visit. Skip the recommendations you’ve been given and go to Pequod’s in Lincoln Park. You won’t be sorry!

Hotel: I’m an advocate for staying in a short term rental. Try to find an AirBnB or something on HomeAway. It’s the best way to feel acclimated in a new city and you get a kitchen to save some money by buying food! If you’d prefer a hotel, I’ve found reasonable rates at the Hotel Cass, which is in the Loop just a few blocks shy of the Magnificent Mile.

Parks: The city is home to many amazing parks that are 100% free. There’s something really nice about being in a peaceful oasis in the middle of a bustling city. Lincoln Park is one of the more famous parks and even hosts a zoo completely free of charge. There are also amazing hiking trails, such as the 606 hiking trail, in parks around the city to give you glimpses into many different neighborhoods.

Food: Other than pizza, Chicago is home to a million incredible restaurants and bars. Some of my personal favorites include Monk’s Pub, Quartino and Taco Joint.

Bike tour: When it’s warm out, I highly recommend Wheel Fun Rentals. It’s a four-person bike to explore the city. It’s a little dorky, but a really fun family activity. Bonus: it’s by the beaches, which are also a must in the summer months.

Chicago is the perfect weekend getaway. I visited several times with my family as a child, and it’s definitely a place with plenty of family-friendly activities, but I’d say that, if possible, a parent-only retreat would be idyllic. Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy a trip to Chicago during your time in Iowa.